Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach regrets QB switch
Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Bo Pelini regrets pulling starting quarterback Taylor Martinez in his club’s loss to the Texas Longhorns on Saturday 16 October.
Pelini said that he and offensive co-ordinator Shawn Watson spoke about taking Martinez out of the game after they realized their offence was not able to get anything going. Pelini maintains that ultimately the decision to take Martinez out of the game was
his alone.
The head coach replaced Martinez with last year’s starting quarterback Zac Lee, who was able to spark the offence, leading the team to a field goal. Nevertheless, the Cornhuskers were outmatched by the Longhorns defence and suffered a 20-13 loss to the unranked
side.
The loss was the first of the season for the former number five ranked side. Because of the loss the Cornhuskers were dropped to 16th in the rankings and kissed their chances of playing in the Bowl Championship goodbye.
The decision to pull Martinez raised several questions in the media with many assuming that Lee would take over as the starter and get the call in the club’s next game against Oklahoma State on Saturday 23 October. The rumours were quickly put to bed by
Watson, who made it clear that Martinez was the Cornhuskers starter.
Martinez has had an impressive season, as the freshman has surprised many with his strong play in Nebraska’s option offence. The success of the Cornhuskers this season has been attributed to the youngster’s ability to move his feet and carry the ball if
necessary. Martinez was having such a productive season that many were saying he could have earned a Heisman nomination before the loss.
The Cornhuskers chances of playing in a major bowl game now hinge on defeating the two ranked teams left on their schedule, Oklahoma State and Missouri.
The Cornhuskers next game will take place in Oklahoma State’s Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday 23 October.
Tags: